Curated OER
"Taming the Bicycle"
Eighth graders discuss invention of bicycle and early obstacles to riding, listen to and discuss short story "Taming the Bicycle" by Mark Twain, define vocabulary words from story, and create and present humorous "how to" project to...
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Harlem Renaissance and Toni Morrison's Jazz
Students study the historical time of the Harlem Renaissance, including key events and figures. They read literature that weaves fiction and history and survey some of the references to the Harlem Renaissance in the novel, Jazz, by Toni...
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African Country Study and PowerPoint Presentation
Students investigate the geography of Africa. In this African culture lesson, students research the lifestyles of African residents and create a PowerPoint presentation based on a single African country. Students share their...
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Christmas Around the World
Students explore Christmas celebrations in different countries. They create presentations giving information about Christmas celebrations in different countries. They compare and contrast traditional Christmas celebrations around the world.
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Masks and Aesop's Fables
Students study and perform Aesop's fables. In this Aesop's fables instructional activity, students read and/or listen to a number of the famous fables. They make masks based on the characters and perform a fable using the masks. They...
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Moccasins Are Made for Dancing
Students explore two Native American legends. In this cultural traditions lesson, students read "The Legend of Blue Bonnet," and "The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush." Students then study basic Native American dance movements prior to...
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Different! Diverse! Dynamic! Lesson 2: Teaching Peace Through Literature And Song
Learners investigate bullying and discrimination and draw pictures of a personal response to being bullied. They read Thank You, Mr. Falkner by Patricia Polacco, to determine the philosophic act that the main character performs. They...
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Entertainment and Recreation in the Early Twentieth Century and Today
Eleventh graders research entertainment and recreation in the early twentieth century using primary sources and the book From the Hidewood, by Robert Amerson. They compare the rural experience of the time period to the national...
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Propaganda: Making a Commercial
Seventh graders study different propaganda techniques. In groups, they write and perform a 60-second TV or radio commercial. Classmates rate the effectiveness of the commercial and whether or not they might buy the product.
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The Clever Monkey Rides Again
Students explore a West African folktale. In this folktale lesson, students read the book The Clever Monkey Rides Again and discuss the trickster characters from the tale. Students participate in a discussion about the folktale and...
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The Cleverest Thief
First graders read The Cleverest Thief and participate in various activities across the curriculum areas. In this story lesson, 1st graders arrange an anagram of the word monastery. Students complete worksheets to alphabetize and use...
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Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Students analyze classic children's stories by creating story maps. In this children's literature instructional activity, students read Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and practice retelling the story with picture cards that need to be...
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Uncommon Heroes of Today
Students create a photo-biography of someone they consider a real life hero. In this character sketch lesson, students define a hero and identify heroic characteristics in short stories. Students use descriptive words to write about...
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Best Breakfast Authors
Third graders write a story. In this breakfast authors lesson, 3rd graders write about a breakfast food and why it is a good selection. Students may illustrate stories and share with their peers.
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is Love Supposed To Hurt? Discussing Violence in Relationships And Ways To Stop It
Students discuss violence and abuse in dating and family relationships, and how to recognize an abusive relationship, explore attitudes about healthy behavior in close relationships, and discuss ways to avoid and get out of unhealthy...
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Conflict Diamonds
High schoolers examine how diamonds are portrayed in American culture. They identify the political and social implications of conflict diamonds and the locations of these diamonds in Africa. They evaluate the effectiveness of the...
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It Was a Dark and Stormy Night
Using Alpha Smarts, 3rd graders write a "Story-in-the-Round". The end result of this project is one story for every student in the class that has been written by the entire class. Students create a PowerPoint presentation with a...
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Health: Influences on Decisions
Students discover factors influencing their decisions after explaining their reasons for choosing favorite beverages. Working in pairs, they complete worksheets about the influences on decision-making. They write stories about...
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A Differentiated Way through Think Dots
Learners examine reasons that led people to explore, identify "West" as defined following Revolutionary War, explain importance of finding natural resources, develop time line of dates and events leading up to Lewis and Clark Expedition,...
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Underground Railroad
Students explore the Underground Railroad. In this U.S. history and technology lesson, students research an assigned topic related to the Underground Railroad, such as "abolitionist," "conductor," or "station houses." Students design a...
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the Little Red Riding Hood
Students respond to the story of Little Red Riding Hood. For this Red Riding Hood lesson, students retell and discuss story elements. Students practice phonic sounds. Students role play, make predictions, use picture cards and practice...
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Gandhi's "Good Life": The Spiritual Dimension
Students investigate awareness and spiritual transformation by researching the life of Gandhi. For this philosophy lesson, students discuss living in an aware state by practicing yoga, eating vegetarian, and becoming immersed in poetry....
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Giving and Sharing Gifts From the Heart
Learners discover the value of sharing and giving. In this philanthropic lesson, students create a storybook, then present it to preschoolers or the elderly, and leave them with the book and other gifts.
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Simile And Metaphor
Students engage in a lesson about metaphor and simile while using them in different contexts. They are asked to share some samples that are designed by them to other members of the class. Students practice writing them with the help of...